A slip of an Iris that’s much adored for its slender elegance, this sweet endemic blooms May & June & is found primarily in the Sierras above 2000’. Individual plants range from yellow to cream, occasionally lavender, some with dark veining. Flowers give the plant a height of about a foot & unlike Iris douglasiana, it’s not a clumper, so the plants stay pretty individual & distinct. Found on shaded slopes in pine forests, it’s a good candidate for similarly difficult situations in your home garden. It can also be grown in full sun. Drought tolerant once established & tolerant of clay & deer & dry shade. Small grassy leaves go deciduous during the Winter. Can someone tell me why the common name is “Rainbow Iris?” It’s missing some shades, but I like the sentiment.

Claire Woods
Propagator